Automatic return to input source when user-selected content reappears in input source

Abstract

A method of returning to a program that is being received on a first channel is disclosed. The method includes storing data that characterizes at least one portion of the program. After storing this data, the user is free to change channels. The system automatically switches back to the first channel when data that characterizes a subsequent portion of the program matches the stored data.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of returning to a first television program being received on a first channel, the method comprising the steps of: 
       recognizing a storage initiation condition while the user's television is tuned to the first channel;  
       storing data that characterizes a first portion of the first television program in response to the storage initiation condition recognized in said recognizing step;  
       permitting the user to tune the user's television set to one or more second channels;  
       detecting, after the user has tuned the user's television to the one or more second channels, when data that characterizes a second portion of a broadcast on the first channel matches the data that characterizes the first portion stored in said storing step; and  
       tuning the user's television to the first channel responsively to a result of said detecting step.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said recognizing step includes the step of determining whether a dwell time has exceeded a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said recognizing step includes the step of recognizing a switch actuation. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a match is detected in said detecting step when the data that characterizes the second portion is sufficiently similar to the data that characterizes the first portion. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a match is detected in said detecting step when a confidence measure for the comparison exceeds a confidence threshold. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the confidence threshold is adjusted in said detecting step so that a probability of detecting a match will increase at preselected intervals of time subsequent to a first channel change. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the confidence threshold is adjusted in said detecting step so that a probability of detecting a match will increase gradually with time subsequent to a first channel change. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said storing step, the first portion of the first television program is a portion that is broadcast at substantially a same time as the storage initiation condition is recognized in said recognizing step. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said storing step, the first portion of the first television program is a portion that is broadcast at least five seconds prior to a time when the storage initiation command is accepted in said recognizing step. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data that characterizes the first portion in said storing step and the data that characterizes the second portion in said detecting step are computed based on image angles in video data. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the computation based on image angles includes Delaunay triangulation. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data that characterizes the first portion in said storing step and the data that characterizes the second portion in said detecting step are computed based on audio data. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data that characterizes the first portion in said storing step and the data that characterizes the second portion in said detecting step are computed based on motion detected from video data. 
     
     
       14. A method of returning to a first program being received by a receiver via a first channel, the method comprising the steps of: 
       accepting a storage initiation command from a user while the user receives information via the first channel;  
       storing data that characterizes a first portion of the first program in response to the storage initiation command accepted in said accepting step;  
       permitting the user to set the receiver to one or more second channels;  
       detecting, after the user has tuned the receiver to the one or more second channels, when data that characterizes a second portion of a broadcast on the first channel matches the data that characterizes the first portion stored in said storing step; and  
       setting the user's receiver to the first channel responsively to a result of said detecting step.  
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the receiver comprises a television. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the receiver comprises a radio. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the receiver comprises an Internet browser. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said accepting step comprises the step of determining whether a dwell time has exceeded a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said accepting step comprises the step of determining when a switch has been actuated. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , wherein a match is detected in said detecting step when the data that characterizes the second portion is sufficiently similar to the data that characterizes the first portion. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14 , wherein in said storing step, the first portion of the first program is a portion that is broadcast at substantially a same time as when the storage initiation command is accepted in said accepting step. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14 , wherein in said storing step, the first portion of the first program is a portion that is broadcast at least five seconds prior to a time when the storage initiation command is accepted in said accepting step.